PRINTER'S NO. 2015
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1779
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY KIRKLAND, SANCHEZ, KINSEY, FRANKEL, HILL-EVANS,
O'MARA, CIRESI, FREEMAN, WEBSTER, SAMUELSON, HOHENSTEIN,
HOWARD, DRISCOLL, DELLOSO, WARREN AND KINKEAD,
AUGUST 11, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS, AUGUST 11, 2021
AN ACT
Amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), entitled "An
act relating to the rights, obligations and liabilities of
landlord and tenant and of parties dealing with them and
amending, revising, changing and consolidating the law
relating thereto," in recovery of possession, providing for
early termination of lease by terminally ill tenant.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known
as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 515. Early Termination of Lease by Terminally Ill
Tenant.--(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act or
law, a tenant of a residential unit may terminate a lease prior
to the date provided in the lease by providing the landlord with
the information specified under subsection (b) if the tenant:
(1) Has a terminal illness.
(2) Needs to relocate and subsequently relocates to receive
hospice care, palliative care or supportive services in a
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facility licensed under the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130,
No.48), known as the Health Care Facilities Act, or at an
individual's residence for the express purpose of receiving the
needed care.
(b) The following information shall be submitted to a
landlord in order to terminate the lease under subsection (a):
(1) Written notice delivered to the landlord within fourteen
days of the date of entering hospice, palliative or supportive
care, informing the landlord of the required need for care.
Written notice can be provided by the tenant's next of kin or
power of attorney.
(2) Certified documentation signed by a licensed physician
indicating the tenant, due to medical reasons, is unable to
continue to live independently in the residential unit and
requires hospice, palliative care or supportive services.
(c) Nothing under this section may be construed to relieve a
tenant of liability for rent or other obligation incurred under
a lease prior to the early termination authorized under this
section.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20210HB1779PN2015 - 2 -
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